Psychology - Research methods - Coding, Content Analysis and Case studies

Question 1

What is content analysis?

Answer 1

A systematic research technique for analysing data such as transcripts for interviews, documents or texts. The data may be too large to analyse initially so the researcher creates a coding system.

Question 2

Coding

Answer 2

When the data is too large for content analysis so a coding system is created of predetermined categories that can be applied to the content

Question 3

How could coding occur in content analysis (example?

Answer 3

Counting the number of times a word/phrase/behaviour appears in a source

Question 4

Strengths of content analysis

Answer 4

• Good for summarising large quantities of mediated information
• Unobtrusive
• Does not require interaction with participants
• Systematically study historical events/media (somewhat objective)

Question 5

Weaknesses of content analysis

Answer 5

• May not reveal the underlying motives for the observed pattern as it is purely descriptive
• Analysis is limited by availability of material, observed trends in media may not be an accurate reflection of reality.
• Time consuming for large amounts of data

Question 6

What are case studies?

Answer 6

a detailed study of a single individual, group, or event

Question 7

What is the aim of case studies?

Answer 7

to be scientific in their approach when investigating a topic/issue

Question 8

What methods are used in case studies?

Answer 8

Objective and systematic methods are used to collect data

Question 9

What data is collected from case studies?

Answer 9

Qualitative, in depth data or quantitative data through questionnaires or experiments.

Question 10

What are the advantages of case studies?

Answer 10

• Can provide existence proofs
• Allow us to study rare or unusual phenomena
• Can offer insights for later systematic testing

Question 11

What are the disadvantages of case studies

Answer 11

• Results or experiences can be atypical, unrepresentative
• Can lead to false conclusions
• Doesn’t suggest causation